<OOC> Jazz sneaks up on y'all

North America Time: Fri Jul 19 12:01:20 CST 2024

F-35 is just sitting around in jet mode, pretending to be a jet on display. La-la-la, robots in disguise... Though still as a stone, she watches the show with avid interest. There's something slightly sick about it all. The jets aren't even alive for crying out loud! They have squishy xeno pilots! Still, the jets sure are pretty, and Decepticons can only raid so much before they need a break. If push comes to shove, they can always claim that they wanted to steal one of the human jets for spare parts.

As happens on a regular basis, the United States Navy is holding an air show showing off the their military hardware, and as always, the stars of the show are the incredible Blue Angels, who perform remarkable feats of aerobatics, flying in impossibly tight formations. It's impressive, but dangerous, and it should come as no surprise that Blue Angel pilots typically die in fours. Off to the side is an area where people young and old can examine various military equipment close up. Nestled in the display is a cloudy blue F-35, and a strange, pyramid looking craft that's labeled as a fictitious jet for an upcoming science fiction thriller. One wonders why the producers chose to paint it pastel yellow.

Porsche 935 Turbo is kinda interested in Airshows. Yeah. Recreational activities that humans like-- it's a nice day, and the white Autobot is still off-duty. One more day, and he'll get to go back to stopping Decepticon raids, and patroling the remote corners of the Earth. Wow. How exciting. Most of those remote spots don't have many people. Which is why he'd be here, today, getting his fill of people. And pulling in near those impressive jets. Pastel. Yellow. Now there's a bad color for a jet. Even one destined for a science fiction movie.

And of course, there's music going on. Faintly. Wouldn't want to disturb any of the crowds. Not that they could hear it over the roar of jet engines anyhow.

Pyramid Jet (Fleet) sends Catechism a low power, tight beam radio message, attempting to choose a frequency that's unlikely to interfere with local cell phones and the like. Hopefully, the white noise that RF often causes on your typical speaker systems won't be strong enough to be noticeable, or traceable. "Strange. We appear to have an instance of parallel development here. Some of their moves are remarkably similar to Polyhexian multi-participant high-form styles... of course, having only one form, they're really only able to perform a sort of half-dance, but still, it's rather curious..." Fleet appears to be... babbling over the radio.

F-35 listens, unusually quiet, partly to help uphold their secrecy but partly because she really doesn't have much to say. She isn't an expert on aerial dance or other such ornamental flying. The cloudy F-35 does have one comment to make, though, "There's four of them."

Who says Jazz has typical speaker systems? But then again, this is an area where there're lots of radio transmissions zipping around anyhow. Why would he notice the faint crackle of one more? At a yell from someone, he transforms, and steps to the side. "Sorry, man." He calls back. Apparantly right next to the jets is a no-parking zone."

The Porsche explodes into action, becoming Jazz, Autobot hero.

The yellow tetrajet was about to explain now a few of the multi-participant styles actually called for four players because they were used as a means to eliminate the unworthy - the first to screw up wouldn't remain in the trine. And sometimes suffered - other consequences. He was about to explain this, when his sensors picked up Jazz's transformation. "Slag!" he radios, still tight beam. "What's he doing here? Do you think we've been discovered?"

F-35 perks up, systems sliding into alarm. Still, using the cautious, low power frequencies, she replies, "I don't know. He hasn't attacked yet. Oh... Straxus. Those pretty blue ones? You don't think they're armed, too?" If they were Decepticons, they'd almost certainly be armed, but they're not Decepticons, not matter how well they fly, and Catechism doesn't know what to expect of them. They dealt human jets in Australia, though. It wasn't too bad. Looking the bright side, she suggests, "Maybe he just has good taste and wants to see the show."

Probably. Considering Jazz's gaze seems to be on the jets in the sky, rather than on that... really oddly familiar looking Sci-Fi Jet. Y'know, if he didn't know better, he'd think that the humans were using Decepticons as the base model for the 'spaceship. Because no 'Con in his right mind would be at an Air show. In the US. This close to DC.

And the grin on his face stays there for now, 'cause he's already read Flee's sign, and it's a pretty neat show. Pretty neat. It's no exotic sportscar show, but it's still fun to watch.

"I... don't think so. From what I've been able to read up on them, they don't arm themselves for these displays, beyond some flares for special effect. And... it looks like the Autobot hasn't noticed us. We seem be this safe for now." Obviously, Fleet and Catechism are in their left minds, not their right ones. Or it could be that they're still pretty damned new to the planet.

But isn't the left brain supposed to be the logical side? Catechism would sigh with relief at not being spotted, but that might get her spotted, so she remains quiet. F-35s normally don't sigh, after all. She does comment briefly, "Guns would make things more interesting." Not that this needs to be more interesting. Between's Fleet comparative commentary, the skill showed in the maneuvers, and the beauty of the jets themselves, this is a fascinating experience. Hopefully, that Autobot will just leave them alone. She's not in the mood to have her tailfins handed to her again.

And said Autobot would probably prefer not to be laid into like the last time he met these lovely flying pastel-y Decepticons. Probably because they came pretty darned close to laying him out. Which would've sucked way up in greenland. White against white? They'd still be looking for Jazz.

The Meister isn't without all his senses. He's already made note of the 'prop' looking a lot like a Decepticon-- so... the minute things kinda look like they're about to slow dow, he's taking that step back over to look at the jets again. "Kinda interestin' how they copied 'em." He says to some kid who's staring up at Fleet with this speculative look. And probably a big ol' black marker in his back pocket.

Contrary to popular belief, Fleet is not vain about his paint job. Really, he's always been of the opinion that seekers are war machines, that it's most advantageous for them to look fierce and/or frightening, and therefore being 'pretty' could be viewed as a design flaw. That said, he isn't thrilled with the prospect of being used as a canvas for some prepubescent punk, but with the Autobot only feet away, he wasn't about to do anything to shake off the brat. If he could cringe, however, he'd be doing that at this moment. He transmits a brief radio code, no words, just a quick series of on-offs that equate to, "Be ready to scram."

F-35 wonders what has Fleet spooked. Sure, there's an Autobot there, but if they were going to run away from him, they could have done that earlier. She scans Fleet's area and notes a small fleshling. That can't be what Fleet's worried about. That would be ridiculous, even for the pastel tetra jet. The little creature doesn't even have an exosuit! Incredulously, she acknowledges Feet's radio transmission and agrees with a short coded string of her own. Despite the excellent display going on, sure, she'll be ready to leave. Just not because of a miniature squishy.

Jazz frowns as he takes a closer look. "Very detailed. Wonder if'n they made it ta fly." He reaches over to wiggle the wing, and test how solid it is. Hey. They can yell at him if he breaks it. And he's teaching bad manners to a kiddo.

Pyramid Jet (Fleet) is quite solid. Way more solid than a prop should be. In fact, one could easily imagine a gigantic alien robot who simply goes around DISGUISED as a tetrajet. Although, despite his solidity, he seems to shudder a bit more than he should as a result of the shake. Hmm.

Comcast has arrived.

Fulcrum has arrived.

Presently, Catechism and Fleet are sitting among the display section while an air show goes on around them. There is a sign in front of Fleet labeling him as a prop for an upcoming science fiction movie, although Jazz is suspicious, and appears to be... pawing him.

F-35 gawks as the Autobot gives her fellow a Decepticon a shake, tearing her visual receptors from the aerial display. Does the Autobot know? If he knows, why hasn't he attacked? This is really quite awkward. Even if they did run right now, the Autobot is in a prime position to grapple Fleet. Catechism considers her options. They outnumber the Autobot, but if they attack him now, they can't keep watching the show. They could try to call in backup. The arrival of other Decepticons would surely distract the Autobot.

<Decepticon> Catechism says, "This is Catechism, MilOps. Fleet and I are observing a Terran ritual called an 'air show' to add knowledge to the Decepticon database. An Autobot may have spotted Fleet. We could use assistance, if any are in the area."

<Decepticon> Comcast's radio crackles as it comes to life. Judging by the background noise, he's travelling pretty fast. "This is Comcast. Fulcrum and I are patrolling in the area of your transmission. Transmit direct coordinates and we will arrive shortly.”

Suspicious. Yeah. The fact that he's pretty darned solid and shakey is almost a dead givaway. And what does Jazz do about it?

The white Autobot just sighs, and shakes his head, "Kiddo... ya might wanna go a ways away from here. Like. Now." Hmm. Wing on ground. Jazz lets the tailfin go, and moves to take a seat on the wing, while watching the kid with the marker run off. "Now... ya wanna tell me what yer doin' here?" he directs towards the jet.

If the tetrajet could blink, he would. If he had a visible jaw at the moment, it would have dropped. Neither is the case. There is a long moment as Fleet considers his possible answers, then decides... if the Autobot is going to throw him for a loop, why shouldn't he return the favor? Of course, he could always just say, "No." It *was* a yes or no question. Instead, he replies quietly, trying to avoid being overhead by nearby humans, "I'm comparing and contrasting the aerobatics performed by these creatures with those moves that require alt-modes in Polyhexian multi-participant high-dance," the words spoken as though him, being there, doing that, were the most natural thing in the universe.

Somewhere in the horizon is yet /another/ pair of jets. Well, they are aircraft, and this is an air /show,/ so there's nothing to worry about here, right? Obviously part of the show. Pay no attention that they are mismatched in terms of colour and design, and that they are hurtling towards the show at a great speed (even if it IS subsonic.) Oh, and ESPECIALLY ignore the mean purple faces they have on either of their wings. Yup, part of the show.

Well OBVIOUSLY they're not supersonic! No point in shattering the eardrums of the crowd, right? Right? And of course it has NOTHING to do with the fact that the MiG-29 is inexplicably incapable of supersonic flight. Oh no. And no doubt the strange weapons fitted to both craft are.. exprerimental weapons. In fact, they're both probably experimental aircraft. From the government. The government has sent them.

F-35 <Catechism> transmits the coordinates and boggles quietly as the Autobot sits down Fleet's wing for a chat. She thanks her lucky frequencies that the Autobot didn't decide to sit down on her wing. As much as she enjoys debate, that would be uncomfortable and would make escape rather tricky. Catechism notes that back-up has indeed arrived... and seems to be joining the show. Oh my. Well, she did say that guns would make the show more interesting...

Yeah right. They're from the government. Of a little island off of the coast of New Zealand. But they're not screaming for attention just yet, and Jazz still has a pastel yellow seat to deal with. "High dance, huh?" He asks. You got him interested. 'Course the fact that there might be other seekers aro- ah heck. How many seekers actually are interested in stuff like culture and dance. Probably very few. If any. "How're they doin' in comparison?" Hey. If no one's shooting things up, that's all the better.

Red F-15 Seeker <Comcast>.. er, I mean, GOVERNMENT JET CLASSIFICATION: THE RED ONE, transmits to Fulc.. GOVERNMENT JET: GREEN.. "Let's just keep our distance for a minute here." The bemusement is apparent on his voice. "I had some fun with the radio last time I did a job like this. We'll be close enough if they need us."

"A bit too forgiving," replies the tetrajet. If he's aware back-up has arrived, he gives no indication. Of course, with the Autobot sitting on his fragging WING, he's not in a position to really make sudden movements or fly off, anyway. "You see that one? On the top of the formation?" He currently lacks the ability to point, so he doesn't bother, but "top" should be descriptive enough. "Two formations ago it was off by nearly seven centimeters. Not enough to be a danger, but still... it would have been weeded out by now, definatly. And even so, they can really only do *half* a dance, anyway. I can't watch this without thinking just how much is lacking."

MiG-29 <Fulcrum>..sorry, GREEN GOVERNMENT JET would nod, if he had a head to do it with. Which he doesn't. Being a jet. And not at ALL a giant alien robot in disguise. "Understood" he replies, inwardly hating the pretence. It'd be easier to land and start smashing things. On the other hand, that'd just lead to unecessary pain. Probably on Fulcrum's part.

If there was any sign that Comcast.. I mean.. oh sod it, he's Comcast, picked up Fulcrum's irritance at the suggestion, he isn't acting on it. "Alright. No closer than this. Shift your vector and we'll maintain this distance in a circling pattern." He says, changing his direction accordingly and beginning to circle Fleet from far far away.

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "Catechism. Do not alert the Autobot to our location, but we are nearby. We will engage if necessary."

<Decepticon> Catechism says, "Understood."

F-35 <Catechism> suddenly realizes that there are now three Seekers plus one more Seeker here. That's not good. There's nothing she can do at the moment but sit back and watch the show, but she doesn't have to like it. The F-35 is not fond of waiting. She'd rather be up and doing. It seems more useful. If asked for a justification for seeing the air show, Catechism'd claim morale and general knowledge. She'd even say it like she meant it.

Jazz nods, still not moving off of the wing. Yeah. He's got Fleet in an awkward position. Doesn't care. "Human pilots tend ta be more forgivin'. Prolly 'cause the pilots ain't part o' the vehicle. Reflexes are a li'l different." Yeah. Traffic light of evil. Good thing that Fleet is pointing Jazz's attention to the SKY where they're FLYING, isn't it? Smile leaks away, "Y'all came t'see th' show, huh?" Just as long as they don't raid anything. Just as long as they don't do anything BAD. Just as long as they leave quietly at the end without disturbing the human pilots... And none of the humans figure out what's going on... But we all know how Jazz's luck has run in the past.

"Well, what *else* would we be doing here?" the yellow jet asks, annoyed. For one, Jazz is on his WING. This is a bit uncomfortable. "Well, I mean, aside from the usual stuff we do. But if we were doing any of that, I wouldn't be sitting here quietly... or as quietly as I was sitting before you insisted on pawing me, sitting on me, and talking to me."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "Fleet.. is he.. what IS he doing to you?"

<Decepticon> Fleet sighs over the radio. "He's chatting. Amiably. Unfortunately, he's also sitting on my wing."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "Is that what the kids are calling it these days..?"

<Decepticon> Fulcrum says, "..."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "My thoughts exactly, mighty Blacksmith."

<Decepticon> Fulcrum says, "This is foolish. The Autobot is outnumbered 4 to one, and does not even appear to be hostile. I have work to do. Radio if further assistance is urgently required."

<Decepticon> Catechism is evil and can't resist adding, "At least you're not close enough to hear them." Not that there is anything wrong with discussing dance, of course, but Comcast doesn't know that's the topic.

<Decepticon> Fleet grumbles. It's hard to make out exactly what is being said, but it seems to involve several choice Cybertonian swear words.

Red F-15 Seeker <Comcast> decides to close the formation while Fulcrum departs, quite angrily in fact. After searching for a few radio frequencies, he finds the one for the local security at the show. "Hey, y'know there's one of them thur Transformerers there. He's sitting on an aircraft." He says in his best yokel voice. "You don't want the government angry with you fer gettin' buttprints over their shiny new plane, do you?"

Shrugging, Jazz finally gets his tail off of the wing. "I dunno what y'all get up ta, but... jus' clear out once th'show is over. Don't want t' have t' panic th' crowds, an' I don't want t'have t'call m'backup." Yeah. He'll be keeping a watch.

"Hmph." Of course, that had been his plan all along, but Fleet wasn't going to admit that NOW, nor did he want to say much of anything else because, well, he didn't want it to look like he was actually obeying an Autobot or something.

It's just then that some security guards come to ask the Autobot nicely to get off the wing. But since he's off, there's nothing to ask. Suddenly, their radio comes up, "And watch out, I hear them robo-thingies can make you sterile, too."

F-35 <Catechism> continues to do her best display exhibit impression. Just a boring old grey F-35 here, nothing special to see. Inwardly, she snickers at Fleet's plight. Yes, Catechism has been sitting around here long enough that's it's funny. If she can't laugh at her fellows, what can she do? Then, the Autobot gets up off Fleet. Aww, blast. Idly, she contemplates causing a little havoc just to spite that Autobot. It's probably not a good idea, but they could steal one of the planes, paint it up in white with a bit of black, and weld it up somewhere obvious in NCC, to forever remind Fleet of this wonderful event.